The lady smiles

BASIL RAMSEY plus a duo

Flute and guitar as a duo shows its accommodating character and friendship
on this CD collection. The Harris-Coates Duo is an integrated unit musically
sensitive and performing with the unanimity basic to any good partnership.

The music selected is modern -- given the certainty that Debussy is not
yet ancient. The better known composers, apart from Debussy, are Charles
T Griffes and Joaquin Rodrigo. Griffes' The White Peacock calls for
bassoon to provide a trio, which then displays itself as a well polished,
colourful movement assuming nothing more than agreeable conversation. Rodrigo's
Serenata comes with much the same qualities.

Daniel Dorff is the most recent to be presented. His Serenade to Eve
gently pulses in a relaxed style intended to make the lady smile. On the
other hand, Damase's Quatre Facettes on the final track are generally of
a strongish character. This collection is contrasted but in no way less
than good.